Today in Africa — Mar 20, 2026: Madagascar to Vet Ministers With Lie Detectors, Nigeria and UK Agree to Speed Up Deportation of Nigerians

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

Madagascar to Use Lie Detector Tests to Vet New Ministers After Coup

Madagascar’s military leader, President Michael Randrianirina, says all candidates for ministerial roles in the country’s new government will undergo lie detector tests as part of an effort to root out corruption. The move follows his decision last week to dissolve the government and fire the entire Cabinet after taking power in an October coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. Officials have acquired a polygraph machine and a specialist to run it, with Randrianirina saying the tests will help identify who can serve in his administration. “We are not looking for someone who is 100% clean, but someone who is more than 60% clean,” he said.

Candidates who fail the polygraph will be disqualified before interviews, while those who pass will be vetted further by Randrianirina and the newly appointed prime minister. The president, a colonel who led the coup after weeks of protests by young Madagascans frustrated by poor services and limited opportunities, has promised to hold elections within two years. The new vetting process comes as he reshapes the government.

UK and Nigeria Sign Deal to Speed Up Deportations and Tackle Migration Crime

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed a new agreement to accelerate the return of Nigerians without legal status in Britain, including failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders. A key change allows Nigeria to accept alternative identification documents in place of passports, removing a major barrier that has delayed deportations. UK officials say the move could have an immediate impact, with about 961 Nigerians having exhausted asylum appeals and more than 1,100 offenders awaiting removal. The deal was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit, with both governments framing it as a step toward more efficient migration management.

The agreement also expands cooperation on tackling organized immigration crime, including visa fraud, sham marriages, and online scams such as romance and investment schemes. Authorities plan to share intelligence and coordinate enforcement through a proposed “fusion cell” involving government agencies, financial institutions, and tech companies. Nigeria’s interior minister said the deal reflects a commitment to fair and open cooperation, while UK officials stressed that those who break immigration rules will be removed. Key details, including timelines and financial terms, have not been made public.

Ahead of June Initiation Season, New Report Highlights Deaths and Risks in South Africa

Ahead of the next traditional initiation season in June, an Associated Press report highlights ongoing risks in South Africa’s traditional circumcision rites, where at least 48 boys and young men died during the latest ceremonies. The report centers on families like that of 22-year-old Lamkelo Mtyho, who died weeks after entering a registered initiation school, underscoring how even regulated spaces are not risk-free. Twice a year, in summer and winter, groups of teenage boys from several Black South African communities undergo circumcision rituals as a rite of passage into manhood. In rural areas, Xhosa boys take part in this sacred tradition, where they are taught what it means to become men — but each year, some initiates die from complications linked to unsafe procedures carried out by poorly trained traditional surgeons. Across the country, the practice remains deeply rooted in culture, with many young men choosing traditional initiation despite known dangers. 

Officials say causes of death often include dehydration, infection, and unsafe practices, sometimes driven by unproven advice such as avoiding water to heal faster. The report also points to the spread of illegal initiation schools, which attract those who cannot afford registered ones and are harder to monitor. Authorities say these sites have been linked to abuse, poor hygiene, and even forced participation, with dozens of arrests made in recent months. While South Africa has tightened regulations since 2021, enforcement remains difficult due to the secrecy and remote locations of the ceremonies. As the June season approaches, the latest deaths are renewing concern about how to protect initiates while preserving a cultural practice that many families still see as essential.

Tunisian Activist Sentenced to 8 Years as Crackdown on Civil Society Deepens

A Tunisian court has sentenced migrant rights and anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, a ruling her lawyer says reflects a wider crackdown on civil society. Mosbah, who has been detained since May 2024 alongside other activists working with migrants, plans to appeal the decision. Her lawyer called the verdict “a major shock,” arguing it is part of efforts to shift blame for migration challenges onto advocacy groups. Authorities have not commented on the ruling. The case comes as Tunisia tightens controls in response to rising migration flows, with the country becoming a key transit point for people trying to reach Europe. In recent months, authorities have suspended prominent civil society groups and deported thousands of migrants, citing efforts to combat irregular migration networks. Rights groups warn these measures risk limiting humanitarian work and shrinking space for independent voices.

Ghana Cocoa Buyers Struggle to Pay Farmers as Pricing Gap Disrupts Market

Licensed cocoa buyers in Ghana say they lack the funds to purchase beans from farmers despite a recent government price cut, deepening strain in one of the country’s key sectors. The fixed price was reduced by nearly 30% but still sits above global market levels, discouraging international buyers and leaving beans unsold. Industry sources say funds released by the regulator, Cocobod, have largely gone toward clearing past debts, with many farmers still waiting months for payment. Some purchasing clerks have stopped accepting cocoa altogether, forcing farmers to travel between towns in search of cash buyers. The situation highlights broader financial pressure in the cocoa sector, with buyer groups carrying around $750 million in debt to local banks. Farmers warn they will resist any further price cuts, even as officials acknowledge liquidity challenges and mounting liabilities. Cocobod maintains it will not lower prices again this season, but analysts say the mismatch between local and global prices could continue to disrupt purchases and delay payments to farmers.

Zimbabwe Opposition Faces Crackdown Over Plan to Extend Mnangagwa’s Rule

Opposition groups in Zimbabwe say they are facing violence and intimidation as they campaign against a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s time in power. The changes would lengthen presidential terms from five to seven years and shift elections from a public vote to a parliamentary process, potentially allowing the 83-year-old leader to stay in office beyond 2028. Activists report assaults, surveillance, and threats, including an attack on opposition leader Lovemore Madhuku and markings placed on critics’ homes, while Human Rights Watch warns of a broader crackdown on dissent. Police deny involvement. Despite the pressure, opposition figures say they will continue to resist the changes, arguing they undermine the constitution and entrench the ruling ZANU-PF party, which has governed since independence in 1980. Critics say the amendments benefit those close to Mnangagwa, while the government insists the president remains widely supported and dismisses opposition claims. With parliament dominated by the ruling party, the proposed changes are expected to pass, raising concerns about the future of democratic processes in the country.

Cameroon Lawmakers Extend Term Again as Elections Delayed

Cameroon’s parliament has voted to extend its mandate until December 20, 2026, delaying elections once again and allowing lawmakers to remain in office beyond their original five-year term that began in 2020. The extension follows a previous one-year prolongation and comes after President Paul Biya, 93, signaled a possible shift in the electoral calendar earlier this year. Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and is the world's oldest head of state, was re-elected to an eighth term last October. He has faced protests over his continued leadership, with demonstrations in major cities met by a heavy security response.